Toddler Chocolate + Chia Seed Pudding

Earlier this week, we had a extremely nice day [I think this graph sums up the way I am feeling lately] so 2 other pregnant mamas and our 3 toddlers decided to head to the zoo for a nice outdoor activity. It was a lovely day filled with lots of conversation revolving around our struggles and triumphs with pregnancy and motherhood. It was also a day filled with trying to get our 3 toddlers going in the same direction at the same time, which I assure you went as well as trying to heard a bunch of wild cats.

They didn’t listen. They did as they pleased. They didn’t feel the need to let us know what they wanted to do at any given time. They were, I guess, just being toddlers.

And I am pretty sure that my little one found the penny squishing machine just as fascinating as the giraffes.

We finally made it to a table to have a little snack [I am not embarrassed to say that I was more ready for some snack time then any of the little ones] and I just happened to bring all the babes a little jar of this chocolate chia seed pudding. The kiddos each took a couple of bits and enjoyed it as much as they could when birds, seals and other kids are grabbing for their attention, but it was us mommies that took a deep collective sigh and dug in to a little pot of goodness. Just sweet enough to satisfy our lunch time chocolate cravings and healthy enough that none of use had to feel guilty about devouring our kiddos snack right from under the noses.

Whisk together the milk and chia seeds. Stir in the peanut butter, cocoa powder, dates and vanilla extract until well combined. Add honey if you want a sweater pudding. Put in fridge for 4 hours or until nice and cold. Transfer mixture to blender and blend on high for 2 minutes or until pudding is extremely smoothy and creamy. Serve in small jars or a big bowl, either way this pudding will get devoured in no time.

Yes, you can totally skip the peanut butter in this recipe. You may want to use a little less milk while soaking, blend and then add more if needed. Let me know how it works out. I am experimenting with strawberry chia seed pudding this week! Watch out! It’s going to be amazing for kids! xo, Michele

Yes, you can totally skip the peanut butter in this recipe. You may want to use a little less milk while soaking, blend and then add more if needed. Let me know how it works out. I am experimenting with strawberry chia seed pudding this week! Watch out! It’s going to be amazing for kids! xo, Michele

Oh no! RIP stick blender!So glad you loved this recipe! Don’t know if you follow me on IG but I just made an Avocado + Chocolate Pudding that was mind blowing! I am counting down the minutes until I can eat the leftovers!xo, Michele

Oh no! RIP stick blender!So glad you loved this recipe! Don’t know if you follow me on IG but I just made an Avocado + Chocolate Pudding that was mind blowing! I am counting down the minutes until I can eat the leftovers!xo, Michele

Followed this recipe exactly, but it came out grainy and bitter. I can try blending more, but the taste is just lousy–bitter, flat, and not very chocolatey. Used all quality ingredients–nice, juicy dates; high-quality cocoa powder; local honey; organic chia that we have used before with good results; etc. Is it possible that we’re just used to food that tastes good, not "healthy" (I cook healthy, but "real" food and think things need to be delicious)? Is this supposed to be a not-very-tasty pudding-like snack? That’s not a sarcastic question–I used to be vegan, so I know how distorted the line for "tasty" can get when you’re doing a lot of substitutions.

Oh no! Bummer that this recipe didn’t work out for you. Maybe let the chia seeds soak for a couple of minutes before blending might help it not be so grainy. I use a blendtec and it is super smooth and creamy when I make it. I will say, that since it is for toddlers, it isn’t as sweet as I would like it but you can add more honey and chocolate if you want a richer taste to it.xo, Michele

Followed this recipe exactly, but it came out grainy and bitter. I can try blending more, but the taste is just lousy–bitter, flat, and not very chocolatey. Used all quality ingredients–nice, juicy dates; high-quality cocoa powder; local honey; organic chia that we have used before with good results; etc. Is it possible that we’re just used to food that tastes good, not "healthy" (I cook healthy, but "real" food and think things need to be delicious)? Is this supposed to be a not-very-tasty pudding-like snack? That’s not a sarcastic question–I used to be vegan, so I know how distorted the line for "tasty" can get when you’re doing a lot of substitutions.

Oh no! Bummer that this recipe didn’t work out for you. Maybe let the chia seeds soak for a couple of minutes before blending might help it not be so grainy. I use a blendtec and it is super smooth and creamy when I make it. I will say, that since it is for toddlers, it isn’t as sweet as I would like it but you can add more honey and chocolate if you want a richer taste to it.xo, Michele